01.02.2014.
All three top Croats drawn in the same quarter
All three leading Croatian players who gained direct acceptance in the main draw were drawn in the same quarter on Saturday. Three-times winner and defending champion Marin Cilic will play against compatriot and wild card entrant Mate Delic, Ivan Dodig, 2011 tournament winner will have bye in the first round and then he might face Ivo Karlovic in the round of 16. It will happen if Karlovic defeats German Daniel Brands in the opening round.
German Tommy Haas will skip the first round as one of four top-seeded players and will play against either compatriot Benjamin Becker or Jesse Huta Galung from the Netherlands. Russian Mikhail Youzhny, who won title here in 2012, will have to overcome either Croatian wild card Ante Pavic or qualifier to reach the quarterfinals.
"There will be a lots of good matches for both spectators and players", tournament co-director Goran Ivanisevic said after the draw ceremony. Ivan Ljubicic, who won title in Zagreb in 2006 and was twice beaten finalist, added: "I really hope that one of Croatian players from the third quarter will reach the semifinals. And, furthermore, that tournament will keep the tradition of having Croatian player in main role."
German Tommy Haas will skip the first round as one of four top-seeded players and will play against either compatriot Benjamin Becker or Jesse Huta Galung from the Netherlands. Russian Mikhail Youzhny, who won title here in 2012, will have to overcome either Croatian wild card Ante Pavic or qualifier to reach the quarterfinals.
"There will be a lots of good matches for both spectators and players", tournament co-director Goran Ivanisevic said after the draw ceremony. Ivan Ljubicic, who won title in Zagreb in 2006 and was twice beaten finalist, added: "I really hope that one of Croatian players from the third quarter will reach the semifinals. And, furthermore, that tournament will keep the tradition of having Croatian player in main role."